Fireworks, Barrel Rolls, and Bruises

photo: AFP

The lone American chance to have a French excuse to light fireworks on America's birthday hit the tarmac about 2.5km from the stage finish in Rouen. American Tyler Farrar got tangled up with other top sprinters and limped home about 4 minutes after the stage's winner Andre Greipel. Last year's Green Jersey winner and current World Champion, Mark Cavendish, went down as well in the crash started by his leadout man Bernard Eisel. Eisel accepted the blame with a qualifier "That's sprinters for you." However, most sprinters prefer to keep the shiny side up.

It appears that no one was really physically hurt in the crash, but that doesn't mean there was no damage done. Cavendish was the big loser on the day and took a significant hit to his green jersey point total and standing. He now holds the fourth place slot in the green jersey competition falling a spot from where he started the day.

My only advice would be to put your money on Cav teh next time he has a chance at the line, because a pissed off Cavendish is not often denied a win. That chance will be tomorrow's Stage 5 to Saint-Quetin. Book it.

Adieu